The Parish Priest of the Travelling People has told the funerals of five victims of the Carrickmines fire - that he hopes their deaths bring about new unity between communities.
25-year-old Willie Lynch; his partner Tara who was 27 and pregnant at the time of her death; their two children Kelsey aged 4 and Jodie aged 9; and Willie's brother Jimmy aged 39; were all laid to rest in Bray earlier today.
The funerals of the other five victims - all members of the Connors family - will take place on Thursday.
Fr Derek Farrell of the Parish of the Travelling People says he hopes the outpouring of support from across the country can lead to new understanding between the settled community and travellers.
"Settled and Traveller united in various forms of solidarity and prayer in the past week," he said.
"A unity perhaps no more poignantly and particularly embodied than in the loving relationship of Tara, a young settled woman, and Willie, a young traveller man, and the family the together established so beautifully."
Hundreds turned out at a requiem mass in Bray, Co Wicklow to pay their final respects.
Fr Derek Farrell, said the fire will be remembered as a 'horrific and tragic day' in Irish history.
The funerals of Willie and Jimmy's sister Sylvia Connors, her husband Thomas and their three children - Jim, Christy and Mary - will be held in Dublin on Thursday ahead of burial in Wexford on Friday.
Fr Farrell says Ireland was rocked by the tragedy.
President Michael D Higgins was represented by his aide de camp Colonel Michael Kiernan; and the Taoiseach Enda Kenny by Commandant David Foley.
While Tánaiste Joan Burton represented the Government.
Towards the end of the service a letter from Pope Francis was read out - it said the Pontiff expresses his deep sadness over this terrible tragedy.
It read: "Pope Francis, having learned of the horrific fire in Carrickmines, expresses his deep sadness over this terrible tragedy".
"The Holy Father prays especially for those who have died, and he wishes to assure all their family members, their friends, and the whole Traveller community, of his spiritual closeness and sympathy at this very difficult time".
Bishop Eamon Walsh read out the personal message from the Pope.
